Now that retailers have the go-ahead to let some customers shop in person, you’re invited to the expanded space of Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (6400 California SW) starting tomorrow (Saturday, June 6th). You might recall that TRG proprietor Frank Grossbought the building last year and planned to eventually expand into the entire space; now that work is done. This video made for TRG and TBS by Ryan Cory gives you a closer look:

More room to shop means more room to shop safely as they reopen – Frank says they’re excited for you to come see the shop! But wear your face covering -he’s all set with his:

Hours are 10 am-6 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays.

P.S. The Wash Dog, previous tenant on the north side of the building, is now at 10623 16th SW in White Center.

The first of many reopening announcements, with this morning’s news that King County got the state OK to move immediately into “modified Phase 1” – the photo is from West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor), which is now open!

We are open now until 4 tonight. Tomorrow we will be open 10-5, and Sunday 11-4. Starting next week our hours will be 10-6 M-F, 10-5 Sat and 11-4 Sun until phase 4.

We have gone a little over the top to keep staff and customers safe and distanced. We’ve added barriers to keep shoppers and people checking out separated even in close confines.

10:44 AM: Just in – King County’s “modified Phase 1” approval from the state. Here’s the announcement:

With new state health officials’ approval today, restaurants and retailers will be allowed to serve customers in their establishments, in addition to other modified openings for a wide range of businesses and activities. Public Health – Seattle & King County will monitor transmission trends, medical capacity and other key indicators to help inform further reopening decisions.

A plan drafted by King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci, and King County Board of Health Chair Joe McDermott and approved today by state Department of Health Secretary John Wiesman immediately allows limited and modified openings for a wide range of businesses, recreation, and personal activities in King County.

Businesses are required to follow the state Department of Health’s specific guidance but must adjust their occupancy to the levels identified below. The State defines an establishment’s capacity as the fire code. The intent is to limit business operations to a level that allows for social distancing. Additionally, businesses in retail, professional services, and real estate must take steps to reduce indoor operations to thirty minutes. This is not meant to be timed to the second – no one is expected to have a stopwatch – but customers should be informed why it is important to limit close interactions.

Here is an overview of what’s happening in key sectors across King County:

Restaurants
• Outdoor dining activities is allowed at 50 percent of capacity with all tables and chairs maintaining 6 feet of distance, though additional seating will be allowed provided it follows Public Health – Seattle & King County’s best practices. Restaurants will also need to go through the normal process within their city – or King County if the establishment is located within unincorporated King County – to seek approval to expand outdoor seating.
• Indoor dining services may operate at 25 percent of capacity, provided such tables and chairs are more than 6 feet away from each other.

In-store retail
• All non-essential retail activities may operate but an establishment’s occupancy may not be not be higher than 15 percent of capacity.
• Businesses are directed to provide signage encouraging indoor visits to less than 30 minutes, with face-to-face interactions limited to 30 minutes.
• Essential retail activities may continue to operate according to the existing state regulations.

Personal services: Cosmetologists, Hairstylists, Barbers, Estheticians, Master Estheticians, Manicurists, Nail Salon Workers, Electrologists, Permanent Makeup Artists, Tattoo Artists, Cosmetology Schools and Esthetics Schools
• All activities may operate but the number of clients served will be limited to no more than 25 percent of capacity or one person if it is a single bed/chair studio.

Professional services: Accountants, architects, attorneys, engineers, financial advisors, information technologists, insurance agents, tax preparers, and other office-based occupations that are typically serving a client base
• All activities allowed but an establishment’s occupancy should not be higher than 25 percent of capacity.
• Businesses are directed to provide signage encouraging indoor visits to be less than 30 minutes, with face to face interactions limited to 30 minutes.

Construction
• All construction, including those activities for which social distancing may not be maintained and the start of new construction projects, is authorized to resume.

As we’ve done throughout the virus crisis, we’ll be publishing business updates as we get them – please let us know!

We’ve received multiple inquiries this week about a list of Black-owned businesses in West Seattle, from readers who want to show their support. We couldn’t find one, so we’ve started one – we have 10 to start with but are sure you know of others, so we’re asking for your help in building the list – you can comment with additions or email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com:

NEW LUCK TOY: Now open for takeout (food and drinks)/delivery (food only), 4 pm-9 pm daily. Order online or by phone, 206-913-2505. (5905 California SW)

And a followup:

REBELLYOUS NUGGETS AVAILABLE IN WEST SEATTLE: We noted last month that the “plant-based ‘chicken’ nuggets” startup in The Triangle was starting to sell retail, but at the time, no West Seattle outlet. That’s just changed – Rebellyous tells WSB that Wildwood Market in Fauntleroy (9214 45th Ave SW) is now carrying their nuggets.

King County has just officially asked the state for permission to go to a “modified Phase 1” status (see the letter here), and it’s got more than first announced last week – including some indoor dining. From the announcement:

King County submitted a plan to the state Department of Health to allow for limited openings of businesses in a modified Phase 1 of the Safe Start plan, including allowing some indoor seating at restaurants.

King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci, and King County Board of Health Chair Joe McDermott today submitted a plan to the state Department of Health that would allow limited and modified openings for a wide range of businesses and personal activities.

The county’s application includes recommendations from King County local health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin that would:

“Our plan to safely reopen our region’s economy is based on the latest data, recommendations by Public Health experts, and insight from communities and businesses,” said Executive Constantine. “We are ready to take the next careful step toward an equitable recovery that benefits everyone who calls King County home.”

The state is expected to decide within the next several days whether it will accept the modified plan which was developed in consultation with Public Health experts, community leaders, businesses, and the King County Council.

Public Health – Seattle & King County recently posted a new dashboard featuring key indicators, with targets that help inform reopening decisions. Based on trends toward all the targets, public health officials and policymakers believe these openings, done safely, will enable much-needed economic activity while also protecting the public and managing the spread of disease in our community.

With the limited re-opening, maintaining the safety principles that led to the success against the outbreak has never been more important. These include continuing to practice physical distancing of 6 feet or more, minimizing contact with others outside the home, frequent hand washing or sanitizer, use of cloth face coverings in public, and avoiding group gatherings and poorly ventilated spaces. …

See the full list by going here. The state has said it might need as little as “a few days” to review and approve proposals like this, but that approval is needed before any of this can happen.

At right, that’s John Moore from longtime WSB sponsor Northwest Insurance Group (5431 California SW), modeling a face mask like the ones his agency just donated to the West Seattle Food Bank. Northwest Insurance Group gave the nonprofit hundreds of masks, along with $3,000 to help WSFB help feed people and prevent homelessness. John said he’s just “trying to give back and do something positive at a time when we really need more good news!” (You can help WSFB too – donating money, and/or other ways.)

Two business notes this morning – a restaurant reopening and a retail update:

OH’S SANDWICHES REOPENS: The proprietor of Oh’s Sandwiches (3217 California SW), Oanh Nguyen, emailed us over the weekend to say the shop is reopening today. Oh’s will be open 10 am-6 pm daily Mondays-Saturdays, closed Sundays. (We’ve updated our longrunning list of 160+ local food/beverage businesses – thanks to everyone who has let us know about updates!)

PEGASUS BOOK EXCHANGE: Here’s the latest from Eric at Pegasus (4553 California SW):

We are continuing curbside pickup every day of the week: M-W 3-6 pm, Th-Su 11-4; deliveries on Mondays. We are also accepting books for trade/store credit by appointment only; visit our website for details. We are also shipping books outside of West Seattle and across the country, email the shop at pegasusbookexchange@gmail.com for details. Check FB/Insta for updates of stock and procedures; our website has updated photos of most of our sections so you can browse our shelves from anywhere.

Less than a week before the about-to-expire Stay Home/Stay Healthy order kicked in, we started tracking local standalone grocery stores’ hours and policies – updating this list since March 18th. Every Saturday after that, starting March 21st, we’ve published a grocery-shopping update. After several stores/chains expanded their hours in the past few weeks, no changes are reported this week. One store has an update of note: PCC West Seattle notes that “as we prepare for Phase 2 of the re-opening of our counties, we will keep our stores at 30% capacity. We appreciate your patience should you need to wait briefly before shopping.” P.S. Even if your store’s not crowded, health authorities continue to stress that grocery shopping is an important time to wear your face covering. … Anything different at YOUR favorite store this week?

So many people have been asking about this restaurant, we wanted to get the news out as soon as possible – Lee’s Asian Restaurant (4510 California SW) emailed us this afternoon to say they’re reopening on Monday (June 1st)! Amy says they’re reopening “with our full menu and regular business hours, with takeout only. We look forward to serving our neighborhood again.” Hours will be 11 am-9:30 pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays; 11 am-10 pm Fridays and Saturdays; noon-9:30 pm Sundays; closed Tuesdays.

MATADOR REOPENING … for takeout and delivery, starting this Wednesday (May 27th). Hours will be Sunday – Thursday 4 pm – 10 pm, Friday 4 pm – 11 pm, Saturday 2 pm – 11 pm. Also: “Happy Hour will be available to call-in or walk-up guests only from 4 pm-6 pm and 9 pm – close, and only eligible with the purchase of a cocktail.” Matador will have Cocktails To Go along with new family-style menu items – find the menu online. You can call 206-932-9988 for pickup, or order online here for pickup or delivery. They’re also on Postmates. And you can read about their new safety procedures here.

Pickup is at the front door or drive-thru back ramp. (Regular BPP hours are 3-7 pm weekdays, 1-7 pm weekends.)

WEST SEATTLE LOCAL FOODS: Looking for new options? The tenants at the commercial kitchen at 4611 36th SW have joined forces to sell their specialties under the banner West Seattle Local Foods. You can order online via this website – but note it’s a weekly event – order by noon Tuesdays for pickup on Thursdays. Meats, salads, desserts, pot pies, more.

We’re still updating our ongoing restaurants/beverage-businesses list – let us know if you have changes!

Check out our brand spankin’ new Sale section online and score some serious savings. Sale is for online, phone, email and DM orders (we do not have in-store shopping at this time). We are definitely available to answer questions and if we’re at the shop, can even show items through the window while on the phone, 206-328-9252.

CURBSIDE SHOPPING

While we’re not “open” in the traditional sense just yet, we’re glad to have our crew back in place, working regular hours for deep cleaning, curbside pickups and local deliveries.

Having our team back means that our turnaround times have gotten quicker — in most cases, orders will be ready same day (or very early the next!).

Through next Sunday (May 31st), hours for Click! at curbside are noon-2 pm and 5-7 pm weekdays (except Memorial Day, which will be noon-2 pm only), noon-2 pm weekends. They deliver in West Seattle two to three times weekly, usually Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays in the early afternoon. For updates on hours beyond that, check here.

GLOW MEDISPA REOPENING: With medical and dental practices cleared to reopen for non-urgent services, Dr. Kate Dee is reopening her offices in The Junction (4409 California SW, starting tomorrow) and Kirkland. Glow has resumed online appointment-booking. In line with state rules for reopening, they have a variety of safety protocols in place, from staggered appointment times to mask-wearing for patients and providers. Dr. Dee adds in a message to clients, “Though it will be a long time before anything feels truly normal, we hope that we can inch toward that goal. I sincerely hope you all have stayed healthy. And just know we really want to give you a big hug, as we greet you with a bow.”

Got business news? Email is the best way to reach us, westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Two months after the bridge closed, and three months after the pandemic hit, prospective West Seattle home buyers and sellers just might have some questions. You might also be curious even if you’re not planning to buy/sell any time soon. So West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor) has set up a chance to chat next Tuesday. Here’s the announcement:

We’ve all come to expect that the spring real-estate market is crazy. This year, COVID-19 and then the West Seattle Bridge have created a lot of uncertainty. But even with these setbacks, the market is building. Just like so many of us chomping at the opportunity to get back to work, the real-estate market is quite busy right now.

We want to make West Seattle Realty available to our community in a socially responsible way. Please join us on Tuesday, May 26th at 4:00 pm for our online Zoom discussion. The goal is to give everyone a chance to get their West Seattle real estate questions answered. We look forward to meeting you virtually! Please email us at info@westseattlerealty.com to be added to the invite list.

Here’s what we plan to cover:

Buyers are still very active. Despite restrictions on showings and stock-market volatility, in some ways the “Stay Home” order has made people want to have a place of their own, even more. Along with historically low interest rates, buyers, especially those who already have roots in our community, have been undaunted. Our advice to buyers has always been that real estate is a long-term investment, and that is unchanged. Market volatility is always something to consider, but even looking back on the Great Recession where home values dropped nationally almost 20%, prices recovered quickly. Time has shown us that residential real estate is a sound investment.

Sellers are anxious, but the market is still good. And this has led to yet another year where there are not enough homes to satisfy demand. It’s still a good time for sellers, but because buyers also need to be cautious, preparation, timing and of course pricing are as important as ever. It is likely that other areas in Seattle will see price growth that we will not, but thus far prices have held steady.

The West Seattle Bridge is a huge X factor that no one anticipated. West Seattle Realty has led the effort to let the City know this is an urgent problem with untold ramifications. We are rallying our neighbors around this issue by starting the online community “West Seattle Bridge Now.” We need a solution as quickly as possible. And the sooner we have a definitive answer to fixing or replacing the bridge, the sooner we can establish our new normal.

Again, to join in on next Tuesday’s real-estate discussion, email info@westseattlerealty.com.

Our Business of the Year White Center Glass, celebrating 50 years … Row House, our Emerging Business of the Year; Not-for Profit of the Year Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association – DNDA; and finally our Westsider of the Year, Mary Anne DeVry. Each of you make life in West Seattle that much better. Loving, caring, and openly helping our neighbors. THIS is why West Seattle, IS THE BEST SEATTLE!!!!

The winners are chosen each year by the Chamber from community-provided nominations. The criteria, and past winners, can be found here.

It’s now been two months since the governor’s orders limited restaurants to take-out/delivery. Since the start, we’ve kept a long list of your West Seattle options – not just restaurants but also other businesses offering prepared-food and/or beverages. Two more additions to mention as the week begins; Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, well-known for its catering, is now offering take-and-bake Family Meals, for pickup at The Hall at Fauntleroy or for delivery – order by noon Mondays for pickup/delivery on Wednesdays. Menu and info here. … New in The Triangle is the fried-chicken food truck Swagg-n-Wagon at 4514 Fauntleroy Way SW, open Tuesday-Wednesdays 12-4 pm, Thursdays-Fridays 12-6 pm …And we keep updating the ongoing listings as we get word from proprietors and/or customers – email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 … thank you, and EAT/DRINK LOCAL!

Two months after the stay-home order shuttered many businesses, it continues to be a tough time even for those that have been allowed to offer pickup and delivery. Many generous West Seattleites have lent an extra hand through the Small Business Relief Fund. You can even choose a specific business to support, with 100 percent of your gift going directly to that business. The West Seattle Junction Association is coordinating the fund, but it’s not a Junction-only program – you can name any West Seattle small business(es) to target your donation. Also note, it may go further than the dollar amount alone – Verity Credit Union (WSB sponsor), for example, pledged to match up to $10,000 worth of donations made starting May 5th. With the added mobility crisis caused by the high-bridge closure, a strong local business community has never been more important. You can donate online via credit card, via the Junction Venmo (@westseattlejunction), or send a check via: West Seattle Junction Association, 4210 SW Oregon St, Suite A, Seattle 98116. As of the last update a week ago, donations had totaled $78,000, but West Seattle has hundreds of small businesses, so they can use a lot more support.

SAFEWAY ADDS HOURS: Checking the websites for our area’s three Safeway stores, we see they’ve added hours too – now open 5 am to 1 am. In addition, the Tuesday/Thursday shopping times for seniors and others at elevated risk are now expanded to 6 am-9 am.

THRIFTWAY WINE & CHEESE TASTING: Next Friday, West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) plans a virtual rosé-and-cheese tasting. The store’s home page explains how to watch (4:30 pm May 22nd) and how to buy the wine and cheese in advance if you want to.

That’s the official info we’ve found; we’ve updated the hours on our original list. So, what are you seeing at local stores?

FAMOUS SALMON ARRIVES: Thanks to Sacha for the photo! Copper River salmon has arrived at Seattle Fish Company in The Junction (4435 California SW) – that’s proprietor Jon holding the Alaskan arrival. ($49/pound filleted, per the SFC website – 12:49 pm update – we’re told that’s the “shippers” price, but the “in-store market price” currently is $5 less, $44.99/pound.)

REBELLYOUS FOODS GOES RETAIL: Back in November, we reported on Rebellyous Foods – a start-up that makes, and improves manufacturing technology for, plant-based “nuggets” moving into The Triangle. But its products were only available to food-service companies, like corporate cafeterias. Now – they’re going retail!

First two outlets – Leschi Market and Vegan Haven – are not in or near West Seattle, but Rebellyous tells us, “We’re hoping to be with some West Seattle retailers soon.”

PACIFIC ROOM CLOSES: Business closures and reopenings have been a little tougher to track during the coronavirus crisis, but the sign that went up outside the Pacific Room (2808 Alki SW) this week was rather emphatic:

We went there after getting tips that it appeared furniture was being moved out. The restaurant/music venue opened last June, then changed owners in February, and the new owners told us they planned to rebrand – then just a few weeks later, the pandemic struck. They had been open for takeout until recently, though.

12:48 PM UPDATE: We just got a call from Jisun Jackson, one of the new owners we interviewed in February, who says the “permanently closed” sign was put up by a business partner without authorization of the others, and they DO intend to reopen at a not-yet-determined date.

The State of Washington’s phased approach to re-opening now allows retail stores to re-open for curbside pick-up. To support these businesses, we are installing temporary 15-minute loading zones to facilitate reliable customer access for pick-ups.

The 15-minute time limit gives people a chance to quickly and safely pick up purchases, while ensuring frequent parking turnover so the locations remain reliably available for use. …

… Interested in having a Curbside Priority Pick-Up Zone near your business? Here’s what you need to know:

*Businesses can call or email 206-684-ROAD to request a Curbside Priority Pick-Up Zone. They should provide business name, address and contact information.

*Staff will review requested locations to make sure a new zone will fit within the nearby curb regulations.

*Generally, we will install one new zone per block, so it may need to be located where it can serve several stores on the block.

*Curbside Priority Pick-Up Zone signs are not assigned to specific businesses, and can be used among several businesses along the block

Approved signs should be installed within a few days of a request. If a new zone cannot be installed, SDOT staff will follow up with businesses to consider alternatives.

Thanks to everyone who tipped us about a change at the Admiral Junction Mailing Center (3614 California SW) – its longtime owners Lee and Larry sold it and retired. This was big news for many longtime loyal patrons. We weren’t able to catch up wth Lee and Larry before the change but we asked their successors, via email, to tell their story:

We, Anastasia and Ben, moved to West Seattle in the spring of 2019. At that time we opened a mailbox at the mailing center and have gotten to know Lee and Larry over the course of the last year.

A few months back when Anastasia was checking mail one day Lee asked if she wanted a mailing center. Since Lee enjoys joking with his customers, she wasn’t sure at first whether he was serious or joking. It became clear over the course of the coming days and weeks that he was indeed serious. Lee turns 79 this year and they were both looking to retire but they also felt an obligation to ensure that their customers would be taken care of going forward. They had run the mailing center for 21 years and care very much about their customers. After discussion between ourselves and with Lee and Larry, we all decided to move forward with the plan for us to take on the business so they could start a well-deserved retirement.

Ben works for Alaska Airlines, but as you can imagine things are a bit slow there at the moment, so this ironically turns out to be a good time for him to dedicate time to a new business. Anastasia was planning to return to the workforce when Lee approached her about the business, so that timing was good as well. Anastasia had been spending quite a bit of her time volunteering at school running the book fairs and assisting in running the library. So her brain is basically a library catalog. We also have three children who you may see “helping” from time to time in the store.

It is indeed an interesting time to take on a new business and there have been challenges getting everything attended to since some companies and agencies are backed up or using alternate processes that are slower than normal but we seem to have slogged through them all and managed to get everything done in time to take over on May 1st. The mailing center has been quite busy as many people are working and shopping from home and we provide a location for them to send and receive packages that they might not otherwise have needed during more normal times. There are also many that need access to office equipment that they don’t have in their home like printers, copiers, and faxes or need a notary because they are not able to attend to something in person like they might usually do. We look forward to continuing to serve the needs of West Seattle as we face the challenges presented by the health pandemic and the added challenge of the closure of the West Seattle Bridge.

As an aside, when we took over we thought it would be nice to have coffee, tea and pastries available for sale. We have partnered with two local businesses, Little Prague Bakery and Mio Coffee, to offer their products daily in our store. We invite not just those needing our other service but our neighbors or those walking their dog to stop in and try them. We have treats for the dogs as well so they don’t feel left out.

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Comments Off on SURVEY: Second round of 3 with questions about virus-crisis impact on businesses, nonprofits, independent workers

The City of Seattle Office of Economic Development, Greater Seattle Partners, and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (have) released the second round of the COVID-19 Business Impact Survey.

The first round of the survey was open March 18 – 31 and had over 5,000 total respondents — over 2,000 of which were businesses in Seattle. The first round of the survey established baseline profile data of the businesses, nonprofits and independent workers in the Seattle region, captured the initial impact COVID-19 had on businesses, nonprofits, and independent workers in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, and documented real-time concerns people had in an evolving environment. Round two of the survey will build upon the initial survey questions to measure potential changes over time, seek to further understand operational changes business have implemented since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluate the impact private and public funding have had on businesses’ ability to stay afloat.

… Business owners, nonprofits and independent workers who participated in round one of the survey are encouraged to participate in round two, however, participation in round one is not required to complete the second round. The survey will be open until May 21, with the third and final round set to open by early June. By conducting multiple rounds of the survey, OED will be able to measure impacts over time. The survey will also be made available in the following languages: Amharic, Chinese – Traditional, English, Japanese, Korean, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Businesses, nonprofits, and interested workers can take the survey here. …

It'll be an unusual sight at Alki Playfield (above) and Walt Hundley Playfield during four afternoons next week when a helicopter lands for an emergency drill. The Seattle Fire Department has notified people near both fields about the plan, and one resident let us know about it - we've subsequently....